Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 447 Planning
As Madam Yu walked out of the meditation room, she encountered Sang Dian standing to the side and handed him the teacup she was holding.

Mother Yu said, "It's cold, have some hot tea to warm up."

Sang Dian looked up at the sky and couldn't help but sigh. It seemed that her husband wouldn't be coming out anytime soon.

Taking a sip of hot tea, Sang Dian's heart warmed up. It was all thanks to Mama Yu; if Mama Yu weren't there, he would be freezing.

“Aunt Yu,” Sang Dian felt he should say a few more words to Aunt Yu. After thinking for a while, he said, “Look, aren’t the stars especially beautiful today?”

Who would watch the stars with a little boy? But the two masters of the meditation room wouldn't leave, so Mama Yu had no choice but to endure it, considering it a moment of family bliss.

However, the man in front of her seemed even more simple-minded than her youngest son.

……

Inside the meditation room, Wang Yan gently stretched out his arm and placed it on Xie Yuyan's waist. Then, with a little force, he naturally pulled her into his embrace.

Fearing she might refuse, he said softly, "I have official business to attend to later, so I'll stay another half an hour."

He always carried a faint scent of pine and cypress, but today there was also the scent of black pine incense in his hair, a common incense in the palace, indicating that Wang Yan had lingered in the rear hall of the Chuigong Hall for a long time.

Xie Yuyan asked, "Are you frequently reporting to the emperor from the rear palace because you're getting assigned a post?"

If it were the first time he spoke to her, Wang Yan might have wondered how she knew all this, but now he only felt it was natural and even felt happy.

She mentioned these things without any pretense, unafraid that he would discover her secrets. Wang Yan naturally smiled and said, "It should be about time in another month or two."

Xie Yuyan raised his head: "Not planning to be sent out for three years? You're going to stay in the capital?"

Following the trajectory of his previous life, Wang Yan was appointed as a sub-prefect in a remote area. After returning to the capital, he took a position in the Ministry of Rites. Although he was the son of a prime minister, he did not rise too quickly. Instead, he spent several years accumulating his reputation and eventually entered the Secretariat.

But now...

Wang Yan said, "It would be better to stay in the capital now."

She changed many things, thus affecting the trajectories of many people, including Wang Yan.

Xie Yuyan said, "Your current position will inevitably lead to questions about your qualifications. It would be more appropriate for you to take on a prestigious and respectable post."

Wang Yan placed his hand on Xie Yuyan's shoulder, lowered his eyes, and spoke gently and persuasively: "Just because your wife favors me so much doesn't mean you can be certain that I can enter the Ministry of Rites and the Secretariat."

This person is good at twisting people's intentions and distorting the truth.

Just as Xie Yuyan was about to speak, her lips suddenly softened as he gently touched them with his finger, as if to stop her from speaking, while his fingertip lingered and lightly brushed against the corner of her mouth.

Xie Yuyan's cheeks flushed slightly.

This was the first time she had ever witnessed such an intimate gesture, even though she had lived two lives.

“Ayan, you can’t do this,” Wang Yan said. “You could be in danger at any moment, yet you expect me to have a smooth life?”

“I had planned to leave Beijing before, but I changed my mind this time because of my own reasons.”

"You refuse to marry me now, and you want me to leave Bianjing so I won't interfere in your affairs. Isn't that unreasonable?"

Xie Yuyan raised her head and met Wang Yan's gaze.

"If you were to hold another important position while Prime Minister Wang is in charge, you would be criticized. Furthermore... it would also take away the power held by the Wang family. Prime Minister Wang would not agree to that."

Wang Yan said, "Then let's bypass him; we don't need his interference."

Xie Yuyan was about to speak when suddenly his body felt light as Wang Yan gently lifted him onto his lap.

"A-Yan, are you worried about me?"

As if enticing her, he gently pressed his forehead against hers, slowly rubbing against her and embracing her. At this moment, Wang Yan had shed all his sharpness, becoming gentle and docile, yet his actions were not so kind and harmless.

She leaned back slightly to separate herself from him, gazing into his eyes, her gaze shimmering like smoke, radiating brilliance.

He tightened his grip again, closing the distance between them once more.

"As long as you are well, I am fine."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xie Yuyan felt a warmth on her lips. The scorching heat, like fireworks, spread from the corner of her mouth and burned into her heart with her breath.

Xie Yuyan instinctively gripped his robes tightly. Just before her heartbeat became erratic, she was pulled back into his arms. His hand gently stroked the back of her head to comfort her, but his arms remained tightly around her, refusing to let go.

……

When Wang Yan came out of the meditation room, Sang Dian was already somewhat anxious.

It's getting late; those people in the courtyard have probably already arrived.

Fortunately, just when they were about to miss their chance, the young man opened the door.

Wang Yan did not rush to leave, but looked at Madam Yu: "On the way back, tell the driver to drive carefully. I have arranged a team of men to protect you in secret."

Mother Yu responded.

Wang Yan then left with peace of mind.

They sped all the way to the small courtyard in the west of the city, where Sangzhi and Sangji were already waiting. Upon seeing his husband, Sangzhi said, "Two more people are missing, but the rest are all here."

The two who didn't arrive probably won't come. Wang Yan had them expecting to gather here at night; those who dared not come were simply not prepared to participate.

If he were allowed to secretly plot for a while longer, even more people would follow him.

Wang Yan slightly raised his head. The docility he had shown in the temple was completely gone, replaced by coldness and sharpness. This expression was not based on his background, but on his repeated strategic planning and accurate predictions of the political situation. He could make his demeanor seem unapproachable simply by restraining his emotions.

As Wang Yan stepped into the courtyard, the officials gathered there all turned around.

Most of these dozen or so people were young, and their positions were held by officials from the Secretariat, the Privy Council, the Hanlin Academy, and the Censorate.

Wang Yan led everyone to sit down in the main room, while Sang Zhi and Sang Ji quickly closed the door and stood guard outside.

Wang Yan looked at everyone present: "Are you ready?"

The young faces nodded in unison, without a single hesitation.

Wang Yan said, "Then let's begin!"

The group immediately huddled together and began to plot in hushed tones. In fact, many of them had repeatedly urged Wang Yan to stay in the capital, arguing that the political situation in Daliang could not afford to keep them waiting for another three years.

However, they also knew that Wang Yan had to restrain his brilliance for the time being because of Prime Minister Wang.

With both father and son involved, they inevitably earned a reputation for "power struggles." In particular, Wang Yan and Prime Minister Wang did not share entirely the same political views, which could lead to a situation of father and son being at odds.

But for some reason, Wang Yan suddenly changed his mind.

What they are about to do will cause a stir in the court, thereby influencing the emperor's decisions and securing an important position for Wang Yan.

The Hanlin Academy official remained somewhat worried. He reminded Wang Yan, "Our impeachment of the Jinzouyuan will inevitably involve this year's imperial examinations, some of whom are protégés of officials who support the new policies."

Wang Yan said calmly, "It's alright. It's precisely because I haven't completely integrated with the new policies that His Majesty feels at ease keeping me by his side."

"I will handle things with my father."

See you tonight